Sarah Coyle | Manitoba Start
Every workplace has its own culture, or corporate culture. There are many ways to define corporate culture, but it generally refers to the values, beliefs, rules, and norms that a company develops over time.
Corporate culture includes both written and unwritten rules. Written rules are formal, clearly expressed, and documented policies or expectations that govern work behaviours. Written rules are laid out in documents such as employee handbooks; human resources policies; employment standards (employment law); and vision, mission, and values statements.
Unwritten rules are informal standards that guide work behaviours. These standards may be implied but not clearly expressed or documented. Here are some examples of unwritten rules you might come across in the workplace:
•Employees take turns making coffee in the morning.
•A supervisor has an open door policy: employees can drop by at any time to ask questions or discuss concerns.
•A manager checks in with their team by phone daily even though the manager is on vacation.
•Employees add a personal touch in engagement with partners and clients; for example, sending a handwritten thank-you note.
•Employees participate in the social committee and organize events for all staff.
Unwritten rules can vary widely from company to company, and employees often have to learn unwritten rules on their own. But understanding the unwritten rules of the workplace is important because it will help you to build relationships, become visible, and contribute value to the organization. Learning your company’s unwritten rules will help you to fit in and advance your career.
How do you learn the unwritten rules of your workplace, especially if you are new at your job?
•Start by observing how other employees communicate, interact with each other, and accomplish tasks.
•Ask questions about workplace expectations, and request feedback from peers and supervisors.
•You can learn by trial and error: try one possible strategy at a time until you find an approach that works for you.
•Look for opportunities to work on team projects with your colleagues.
•Have a clear career plan; know what goals you would like to achieve next or what projects you want to take on, and promote your skills to your peers and supervisors.
•Outside the workplace, access your professional and personal networks and ask for insight and advice on informal rules and customs.
As you start a new job and begin to learn about your work environment, ask yourself: “What might be really important for me to know that may not be written down somewhere?” Keep in mind that it will take some time to learn unwritten rules and integrate into a new corporate culture. By staying attentive and open to input, you will be poised for success in the workplace.
Sarah Coyle is a career coach and university instructor. Manitoba Start connects business to a world-class workforce and supports newcomers with free career development and job matching services to achieve their professional goals and long-term career success in Canada. www.ManitobaStart.com
